So, with the update to 3.0, Zune has finally included gaming on the go for Zune users. The first two games out of the gate were Texas Hold Em and Hexic. I’ve had a chance this week to play both games extensively and I’ve decided to post my opinions here. So here’s my take on both of the games, short and sweet.

First things, first. Why am I able to play these games so extensively? I ride the bus to work. You probably didn't need to know that, but it helps to understand that from my house to the office is little more than a 35-40 minute bus ride (down one street). Save on the gas, ya know?

HEXIC:

I was a fan of Hexic when I got my XBOX 360. The simple little puzzle game had enough on it to be very addicting. Transferring that experience to the Zune kept things the same (and that’s exactly how I liked it). They were able to recreate the look and feel of the XBOX 360 version down to the tee.

Of course, it’s a simple puzzle game and it not that hard to make it look and feel good on the device, but considering that I have the original Zune 30, I think I got just as much out of it as someone would with the newer generation Zunes.

Using the touchpad to control the marker on the board was easy from minute one with having to just press the center button to set things in motion. It was fun to be able to start chain reactions and let loose a bunch of hexagons in succession.

TEXAS HOLD EM:

Now, I enjoy a good Texas Hold EM game but there was something about this that didn’t sit right. It was indeed a faithful visual representation of sitting around a table with people playing a game of cards, but really some of these players are total idiots. You could have the worst hands in the world and just because you went all-in the opposing player decides s/he wants to quit.

And the last time I saw this much folding in one place was when I was kid at the laundromat with my Mom. Gee, you’d think out the entire group that more than one person would have a good hand to work with. It’s quite frustrating when your computer opponents just fold on almost every hand. Maybe it’s because I’m playing on some beginner level, but I would think that even at its easiest, these players would have some resemblance of intelligence.

This is the game that would benefit from multiplayer action. Being able to sit around and have human opponents would be of great benefit to everyone involved. At least you know then that someone is going to be just as reckless as you or they’re going to be cunning, sly or slick and that’s the type of poker game you want to play.

Although, I think that having poker night with the guys wouldn’t be as fun if you all just had Zunes instead of real cards and chips.

Graphically this game was great looking and the cards look outstanding on the big screen.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:

I’ve been able to see both games on small screens and they still have that crisp, clear look and it’s still easy to play both games. I’m especially happy that I’m able to listen to my favorite podcasts or playlists while I’m playing. However, if you want to listen to a podcast, you’ll have to start the podcast first, then begin the game. If you’re in the middle of a game and you want to adjust the volume, playlist playing, etc, you have to go to the menu and choose music.

Overall this is a fantastic start to whet our appetites for what could be the future for gaming on the Zune.